Yangon, Myanmar – Myanmar is grappling with a severe power crisis, with electricity supply plummeting to half of the country's demand due to the ongoing civil war and natural disasters.
According to local media outlet Eleven, the Myanmar Ministry of Electricity and Energy reported on Tuesday that the country's electricity generation and supply are only meeting about 50% of total demand.
Despite having a total installed capacity of 7,248 megawatts, the country is currently producing only around 2,800 megawatts per day, falling significantly short of the daily demand of 5,500 megawatts.
The primary causes of this power crisis can be attributed to the ongoing civil war and natural disasters. Clashes between the military and armed resistance groups have resulted in widespread damage to transmission lines, while international sanctions have led to reduced natural gas supplies, impacting the output of gas-fired power plants.
To make matters worse, recent super typhoon "Yagi" has damaged several hydropower and coal-fired power plants, further exacerbating the situation.
Myanmar has traditionally relied heavily on hydropower, making it vulnerable to power shortages during the dry season. Since the military coup in 2021, the situation has deteriorated due to the civil war, international sanctions, and the junta's mismanagement, leading to the shutdown of several power plants.
While the military regime has been exploring alternative energy sources such as solar and wind power, the ongoing conflict has hindered efforts to rapidly increase power generation.
The power crisis is forcing many foreign companies to halt operations or relocate due to unreliable electricity supply.
Meanwhile, Myanmar citizens are facing a double whammy of frequent power outages and soaring electricity prices. In August, the military junta increased household electricity tariffs by nearly three times, as household consumption accounts for about 68% of the total electricity consumption in the country.
The severe power shortages have had a devastating impact on Myanmar's economy and the lives of its people. As the country continues to grapple with these challenges, the prospects for a quick recovery remain uncertain.
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